Latest sightings
Avocet Influx continues
Another cracking day. Probably being spoilt with this weather but lets not complain! Out on the Reed Bed Walk and near the Janet Kear Hide the first Brimestone Butterflies of the year. Folklore has it that butterflies are named 'butter'-'flies' because of
15 February 2019
Hare Today
A chilly start off set by blue skies and sunshine throughtout the day. A dawn count of 894 Whooper Swan has been failry consistent this winter. We are approaching the stage were birds that have wintered at Welney (etc) will come back through as birds that
14 February 2019
Avocet Return
The first Avocet, a pair returned today. Not the earliest date (9th Feb 2014) but one day earlier than last year. Martin Mere is one of the best places in the North West to see breeding Avocet and the numbers will continue to increase over the coming wee
12 February 2019
Signs of Spring..
Only a brief update. No wildfowl counts although big numbers of ducks are still frequenting the reserve and will do to the end of the month.Signs of spring with this male Ruff developing into breeding plumage. A closer look at Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit
8 February 2019
Hybrid Duck?
A wild and windy start to Wednesday followed by blue skies and a stiff breeze.The milder conditions have brought back the big flocks of Lapwing with 1200+ birds present, sometimes in the air all at once when the Peregrine pays a visit. Also 60+ Ruff, 10 B
7 February 2019
Brambling and other birds
A brief write up for Saturday so far. For a fuller picture see the previous few days(Our featured photograph comes from Charlie Lowe - male Brambling taken at the Janet Kear Hide feeding station.)Three Tawny Owl this morning. Half of the Mere is frozen co
2 February 2019
Latest Sightings
Great start to February. Always an interesting month which can produce interesting geese, cold weather movements and the first signs of spring. Starting off with some wader sightings with 3 Golden Plover seen and heard flying over the reserve this mornin
1 February 2019
Willow Tit?
The relatively windless winter condition over the past two days have made for some excellent birding around the reserve.Another good raptor day with six species recorded; Merlin, Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Three Bar
31 January 2019
Latest Sightings
Update from the past 3 days, windy on Sunday, calm and sunny on Monday, rain and sleet today.Sunday and Monday were the best raptor days with 2 Peregrine, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Three Tawny Owl on show (ask at the in foc
29 January 2019
Latest Sightings
Just a brief note on Saturday's sightings including a soon to be replaced map. Watch this space!Check out a few days of the previous sighting to get a fuller picture as to what can be seen on the reserve.It should be possible to see over 60 species in a f
26 January 2019
We are back!
We are back with a new look sightings page / wwt website that is now mobile friendly, apologies for the break whilst the technical people sorted out the change over. A full count of wildfowl from the weekend with 804 Whooper Swan and 3200 Pink-footed Gees
24 January 2019
Raptor-fest
Continuing this winters run of good raptor days with at least 4 Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 3+ Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and Merlin over the weekend. At least 3 Barn Owl (two showing well from the Ron Barker Hide) and 2 Tawny Owl today again. Fif
14 January 2019
1078 Whooper Swan
A lovely frosty start to the day and this winter's highest count of Whooper Swan with 1078 birds present on the reserve this morning. Fairly static counts of roosting Pink-footed Geese with 5439 also present. Locally 4 European White-fronted Geese have be
9 January 2019
Latest Sightings
Overcast but not particularly cold in the light winds today. Solid numbers of wildfowl using the reserve with fifteen species of swan, geese and duck present with upwards of 15,000 birds; Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Geese, Greylag, Canada, She
6 January 2019
Bewick's Swan
After no sightings on the reserve during the winter period 2017-18, 2 Bewick's Swan flew onto the reserve late afternoon. The decline of wintering Bewick's Swan has been dramatic given the record count at Martin Mere is 1046 during the winter of 1990-91.
5 January 2019